Photo: Quinnipiac University defenseman and New York Islanders prospect Devon Toews increased his point total by 10 points from the 2014-15 season, posting seven goals and 30 points in 38 games in 2015-16 (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

A player’s development is often judged by statistics. But numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

Case in point is Quinnipiac University junior defenseman Devon Toews. The Abbotsford, BC native is currently amongst the top scoring defensemen in the nation with 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists). But his numbers are just one part of his tremendous developmental progress that has come from hard work in virtually all aspects of both his game and in his physical maturity. Read more»

Photo: Harvard University forward Jimmy Vesey has completed his senior season with the Crimson, one in which he has received a second consecutive Hobey Hat Trick nomination as one of the finalists for college hockey’s top individual award (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

The final full month of the 2015-16 college hockey season is in the books, with only the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four remaining on the schedule. With season’s end comes the presentation of major awards, as well as the end of college hockey careers for a number of seniors and players signing with NHL clubs. Read more»

Photo: CSKA Moscow goaltender and New York Islanders prospect Ilya Sorokin turned in a strong 2015-16 regular season, and has duplicated that effort in the KHL playoffs with a 1.17 goals-against and .949 save percentage (courtesy of Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

In recent years, Russia has become a better producer of quality goaltenders. Proof of that is the number of NHL-drafted netminders competing in the KHL and minor leagues, which is in a modest growth trend. Many young, Russian goalies are experiencing an upward career progression, and almost all the goaltenders drafted in the last few years have an excellent chance of becoming solid NHL players, with the exception of Sergei Kostenko, who was a seventh round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2012. Read more»

Photo: Boston College goaltender and Vancouver Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko has posted 10 shutouts so far this season, leading all NCAA netminders in that category (courtesy of John Crouch/Icon Sportswire)

Thirteen drafted goaltenders played in the NCAA in the 2015-16 season. Hockey’s Future takes a closer look at the top five netminders with NHL ties, all of whom were among the nominees for this year’s Mike Richter Award. This ranking is based on season performance, overall developmental progress, and NHL potential. Read more»

Photo: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Carter Rowney starred at the University of North Dakota for four seasons before turning pro in the 2012-13 season (courtesy of Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

With less than a month to go in the regular season, the only true rookies in the AHL’s Eastern Conference are those joining AHL teams on amateur tryout contracts from Canadian junior leagues and the NCAA ranks. Most first-year players have 50-65 games under their belt now and are either gearing up for a postseason run, or looking to leave a final impression before heading into the offseason. Read more»